Am I entitled to Ontario health insurance if I am in implicit status?

If you are a temporary foreign worker in Ontario and you are waiting for your work permit renewal, you are most likely in what is known as implied status. Do you know what this means?

This situation often raises many questions for affected workers, especially when it comes to accessing essential services such as the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). In the face of these doubts and concerns, the best thing to do is to be informed and to know the provincial regulations in Ontario.

In this article, I will explain what implied status is , how it affects your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) health coverage, and what steps you should take to protect your health and rights as a foreign national. Let's get started!

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What is implied status in Canada?

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Implied status is an immigration condition that occurs when a person applies for an extension of their work permit before it expires, and is awaiting a response from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). During this period, the person can continue to work legally in Canada under the same conditions as their previous permit.

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What happens to OHIP during implicit status?

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Good news! If you have Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) health coverage , you can generally continue to be covered while you are in implied status, as long as you continue to live and work in Ontario.

Important: Please note that ServiceOntario may ask for proof that you applied for the extension before your permit expires. So be sure to bring your expired permit and proof of application sent to IRCC with you. 

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Now, if you are applying for OHIP for the first time, you should know that ServiceOntario requires a valid work permit with at least 6 months of duration. Since implied status is not a new official permit, you will probably not be approved until you receive your IRCC renewal.

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What is ServiceOntario?

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ServiceOntario is a service exclusive to the province of Ontario (Canada) that allows its residents to renew their driver's license, registration, parking permit, health card and other documents provided by the Ontario government. 

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This service has 280 public centers spread throughout the territory. Visit the official website: Government of Ontario | ontario.ca

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What documents do you need to bring to ServiceOntario?

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Here is a useful checklist:

• Expired work permit.
• Proof of extension request (receipt or mail from IRCC).
• Explanatory letter about your status.
• Proof of current employment.
• Proof of Ontario residency.
• Identity document with photo.

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Recommendations while accessing health insurance Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

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If you are in implied status and do not have medical coverage, consider taking out temporary private insurance to cover emergencies until you receive your new permit and become eligible for OHIP. 

If you need help in any of the steps, seek specialized immigration advice.

At Immiland Canada, we can help you draft an explanatory letter to ServiceOntario or review your situation with IRCC. Contact us for a free assessment of your immigration profile or schedule an appointment near you today.

Learn about our complete immigrant services at: https://www.immilandcanada.com/

I hope this article has been helpful and you continue to enjoy your health care coverage in Ontario. 

Thank you very much for reading, see you in the next blog!

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With love,

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Immiland Canada